The Al-Aqsa Complex or also called Baitul Maqdis in Palestine is a very important holy place for Muslims. Even Jews believe this place is an important location in their religious beliefs. One of the words of Rasulullah SAW which underlies the priority of Al-Aqsa is:
فَضْلُ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ عَلَى غَيْ رِهِ بِمِائَةِ أِلْفِ صَلَاةٍ وَفِي مَسْجِدِي أَلْفُ صَلَاةٍ وَفِي مَسْجِدِ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ خَمْسَمِائَةٍ صَلَاةٍ
"The priority of praying at the Grand Mosque over others is worth 100,000 prayers, at my mosque (the Nabawi Mosque) it is worth 1,000 prayers, and at Baitul Maqdis 500 prayers." (HR. Al-Bazzar)
The Al-Aqsa mosque complex is the third holiest place in Islam after the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. Because in the past, Masjdil Aqsa was the first direction for Muslims to perform prayers. This mosque also holds a long history of Muslims starting from the prophetic period until now. Like the history of its first liberation by Caliph Umar bin Khattab until its second liberation by Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi from the clutches of the crusaders.
This complex is not only occupied by one mosque, but it contains several mosques, each of which has its own uniqueness. The following are the names of the mosques in the Al-Aqsa complex:
- Al-Qibli Jami' Mosque
Qibli Mosque, is the main part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This mosque is the main place for praying in the Aqsa Mosque complex. This is because the location directly faces the Qibla. This place can accommodate as many as 5,500 worshipers.
This mosque is known for its gray, large and beautiful dome. It was built during the caliphate of Umar bin Khattab RA after he liberated the Jerusalem area from Roman troops. and experienced expansion during the subsequent Islamic kingdoms.
2. Al-Aqsa Al-Qadim Mosque
Al-Aqsa Al-Qadim Mosque, is a mosque that was once the entrance for the nobles of the Umayyad kingdom if they wanted to worship at the al-Aqsa mosque. Its size is not very large, it can only accommodate 550 worshipers. It is said that this mosque has a hallway that is directly connected to the Umayyad royal palace in Damascus.
3. Sakhra Dome Mosque
The Sakhra Dome Mosque, or also called the Dome of the Rock, is one of the most recognizable mosque structures in the Al-Aqsa complex. This mosque is the most charming building in the al-Aqsa mosque complex. This building is often used as an icon of the al-Aqsa complex because its color is so striking.
This mosque was built by the Umayyad dynasty between 685 and 691 AD. This mosque is believed to be the place where the Prophet Muhammad SAW ascended into the sky during the Isra Mi’raj event. The beauty of this building was architected directly by a tabiin named Roja bin Haiwa Al-Kindi.
4. Marwani Mosque
The Marwani Mosque, also known as the Underground Mosque, is one of the most unique structures in the Al-Aqsa complex. This mosque was built below ground level and has a stunning architectural design. Even though from the outside this mosque doesn’t look like a mosque, this location is the largest part of the al-Aqsa complex. The area exceeds the main area of the Jami' Al-Qibli Mosque.
During the reign of the Crusaders, this place was used as a horse stable for the Crusader cavalry units and a storage warehouse. Then after al-Aqsa returned to the fold of the Muslim community, this location was cleaned and renovated into a mosque.
5. Buraq Mosque
Buraq Mosque, named after the vehicle of the Prophet Muhammad SAW on his Isra Mi’raj journey. This mosque is the place where the Prophet Muhammad SAW tied Buraq when he traveled to the sky. This incident can be proven by the presence of the iron where the Prophet Muhammad SAW tied the Buraq which was attached to the Buraq wall.
However, the Jews call the Buraq Wall the wailing wall. They consider this place a holy place for them to worship. At this location they also announced the location of Haikal Sulaiman.
6. Al-Maghariba Mosque
Al-Maghariba Mosque, or West Mosque, as the name suggests, this mosque is located on the west side of the Al-Aqsa complex. It was built by the fifth Umayyad Caliph Abdul Malik in the seventh century. This mosque is often used as a place for student gatherings, communities and social activities. Apart from that, this mosque is also used as a place to store historical items for Muslims.
7. An-Nisa Mosque
Lastly, the An-Nisa Mosque, or Women's Mosque, is a mosque dedicated specifically to women. This mosque was built next to the location of the main Jami' Al-Qibli mosque. This place is very suitable for Muslim women who want to worship or study at the Al-Aqsa complex.
In the past, during the colonial era of the Crusader Kingdom, the Nisa Mosque was a place for banquets for the Crusaders. Then it was converted into a mosque specifically for women on the initiative of Sultan Salahuddin Al-Ayyubi after successfully liberating al-Aqsa.
Each mosque in the Al-Aqsa complex has its own history and uniqueness. These are all Islamic legacies from the Prophets and previous Islamic kingdoms. The Baitul Maqdis Complex is also a symbol in the history and culture of Muslims and the Palestinian people. By getting to know these mosques better, we can better appreciate the richness and diversity of Islamic heritage.
